South Tucson

Lunch Spot!!!

Dad, Char, RBK and I had lunch at Char's fave Mexican spot:  El Torero.  Fantastic enchiladas and a frosty Dos Equis hit the mark.

Ken and Char try to look as glamorous as the fish behind them

RBK and Char belly up to da bar

The White Dove of the Desert

After lunch, we headed further south to the Mission San Xavier, which can be seen from I-19 two miles into the desert.  Building began in 1783 with 7,000 pesos borrowed from a local rancher.  Nearby artisans probably created the interior work but no one really knows for certain.  In 1797, funds ran out to complete the project.  Oddly enough, it remains in this unfinished state with the missing dome on one of the towers.

Several years ago, the two lion sculptures flanking the entrance to the altar were found missing one morning.  They were never found, so a local sculptor was commissioned to recreate them.

Altar with reconstructed lions

View of the rear courtyard, looking out to the mountains beyond.